In recent years, there has been an increase in the total pool of study abroad aspirants in India. This is because young students are now willing to learn in foreign institutes more compared to that of India. With the increase in this number, there is an increase in the competition in all aspects that are needed to achieve this goal. Students need to pay for various needs during the process of studying abroad. Thus, it costs a lot more than the conveyed budget.
The following are some of the aspects that contribute to the increase in financial load on an overseas aspirant:
Study Abroad Consultancy:
When a student starts exploring more about abroad studies, they come across several overseas education agencies. These firms help the students to know more about foreign education, the immigration process and other requirements for the same. They provide proper assistance to the students to choose the right course, university and country for higher education. Many consultants work free of cost as they get commissions from the institutes they are tied up with. But most of them charge for their assistance. This charge varies based on the reach of the agencies.
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English Proficiency Test:
To apply for foreign institutions, there is a need to show proof of English language proficiency. For this, there is a need to apply for these tests. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and SAT are some of the examples of these tests. The cost of application for these exams may vary based on their acceptance percentage in various countries.
Course Application:
For every foreign institute, you need to apply for the course application. This application helps the institute to sort out the programs you are eligible for. Thus, the university applies an application fee for it. Also, this fee is not refundable in most of the institutes. Hence, you should opt for any course after proper research.
Visa Application:
After getting an offer letter from a foreign university, you need to apply for a visa for the country. There is a need to pay for your visa application. Also, take note that every country charges differently. Thus, the cost varies based on the location of the nation. Also, the charge applied for the visa application is not refundable.
Health Insurance:
After you get a visa approval, there is a need to apply for health insurance from an organization in the country you opted for. This is needed to cover your accidental and sickness issues while you are studying in that nation. Also, the firm should be affiliated with the country’s governmental list.
Conclusion
In the end, it can be concluded that the total amount needed for studying abroad includes all the requirements needed for application at the initial stage. In most cases, the application fee is not refundable. Thus, this increases the financial load on the study abroad aspirants. There are institutes and other firms that provide a good amount of scholarships to overseas students. Thus, this only applies to the students with excellent performance in their past academics. Still, the cost for the other needs remains the same creating a barrier for the students financially.
(By Mamta Shekhawat, Founder of Gradding.com. Views are personal)